Health

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Over the last few weeks the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness has investigated several outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease associated with food service establishments.

For some of these events the department has documented that a new strain of Norovirus that is spreading widely throughout the United States was the cause and that the virus had infected food service workers.

The Department of Health and Wellness is offiering advice on steps everyone, particularly food service establishments, can take to avoid this common and unpleasant gastrointestinal illness.

The most important step in controlling the spread of this virus is regular hand washing with soap and water.

Noroviruses are easily transmitted by touching a contaminated surface as well as by direct contact or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus.

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) on February 7, Fulton County Health Services will provide FREE HIV testing and counseling to residents. NBHAAD is a nationwide mobilization effort designed to encourage African Americans across the United States to get educated, get tested, get treated and involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to affect African American communities.

In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded a $4.5 million grant to Fulton County to implement high impact HIV prevention programs in both Fulton and DeKalb Counties. The overall goal of the grant is to identify more residents who are HIV infected but are unaware of their status and to link those individuals with medical services and treatment. The CDC estimates that 1 in 5 HIV infected persons are unaware of their status.

ROSWELL, Ga. -- Consumers interested in experiencing first-hand the impact of Alzheimer’s disease are invited to attend a free sensitivity training event on January 31 in Roswell.

Presented by Second Wind Dreams, the Atlanta-based nonprofit changing the perception of aging, the event will give the public the opportunity to experience The Virtual Dementia Tour®, a 20-minute long scientifically proven method of building a greater understanding of dementia through the use of sensory tools and instruction.

Local families, business leaders, first responders, and church groups are invited to join with the more than 500,000 people in 14 countries who have experienced the tour.

ATLANTA -- Fulton County Cooperative Extension wants all residents to develop regular physical activity habits, get healthier and have fun while “walking across Georgia”. Daily activities such as walking the dog, going for a jog and playing catch with the kids quickly add up to virtual miles that are used to “walk” across the state.

“We invite all residents who made New Year’s resolutions to get fit and be healthier to join our initiative,” says Menia Chester, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “Although this event is called Walk Georgia, any form of activity can be logged to track mileage. The primary goal is to get moving.”

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, it was estimated that 134 Georgia women would die from cervical cancer in Georgia in 2012.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and Fulton County Health Services encourages all women to take control of their health by cervical cancer screenings known as Pap tests and to make healthier lifestyle choices. Symptoms of early stage cervical cancer or pre-cancer are not easily identified and often have no signs or symptoms.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for cervical cancer in women ages 21 to 65 years with cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years or, for women ages 30 to 65 years who want to lengthen the screening interval, screening with a combination of cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years.